Braveboy taps former state commerce secretary to chair Prince George’s County Planning Board

County Executive Aisha Braveboy has tapped former state Secretary of Commerce Kevin Anderson to join and chair of the Prince George’s County Planning Board.

Braveboy last week nominated Anderson to replace former chair Darryl Barnes, who resigned in May following an investigation into alleged misconduct while in office.

Barnes stepped down following The Banner’s reporting on complaints that he pushed the separate bi-county parks and planning commission to hire his sister, promoted his business contacts for government contracts and asked for approval to spend public funds on his private social club dues, among other allegations.

Through an attorney, Barnes has denied the allegations and disputed their “accuracy, completeness, and characterization.”

As chair of the county planning board, Anderson would rotate as the head of the Maryland National-Capital Park and Planning Commission, a bi-county agency that oversees parks and planning in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties.

If confirmed by the County Council, he would be stepping into a contentious and politically sensitive moment for the the commission, which is currently suing Prince George’s County over its attempt to transfer tens of millions of dollars from the commission to county coffers.

Manuel Geraldo, a recently ousted member of the Prince George’s County Planning Board, said he doesn’t know Anderson personally, but is “hopeful” about his nomination.

“Put it this way: Compared to some names that had been thrown around in the rumor mill, I think she [Braveboy] wanted to appoint someone who’s got experience, which he has,” Geraldo said. “Maryland National Capital [Park and Planning Commission] is a big organization. So you really need someone with executive experience to manage it properly. I think he’ll be good.”

Geraldo, who served on the county planning board since 2012 and was the last remaining member not appointed by Braveboy, said he hopes Anderson brings some stability to the commission.

“I know employees have been disconcerted about what was going on, about the lawsuit,” he said. His other hope for Anderson, he added, is “that he would be independent of the county executive, and not a yes man.”

Anderson was appointed secretary of commerce by Gov. Wes Moore in 2023, but was removed from that role in early 2025 and replaced by Harry Coker Jr. Anderson then transitioned to senior adviser in the Moore administration.

Moore’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Braveboy, in a letter to the County Council nominating Anderson, touted his experience working in state and local government, higher education, housing and executive leadership positions in the private sector.

“Collectively, these experiences have provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the public policy, financial, and operational considerations that guide responsible land use and sustainable development,” Braveboy said in her letter.

Braveboy’s spokesperson Brian Fischer declined to answer questions about the nomination. In an emailed statement, Fischer said that Anderson “has the vision and track record to advance equitable, sustainable growth for Prince George’s County.” Braveboy believes that Anderson’s “integrity, broad-based leadership, and unwavering commitment to fiscal responsibility and sound governance will strengthen the Planning Board and restore public confidence,” the statement said.

Before he became Moore’s commerce secretary, Anderson was the founder and CEO of an economic and community development firm, Cardinal Atlantic Holdings. He was also the senior vice president for global partnerships at the education software company EVERFI Inc., according to his bio on the state’s website.

As Anderson transitioned from commerce secretary to senior adviser, Moore touted his two years leading the agency in a press release.

“Under his leadership, the Maryland Department of Commerce underwent a period of transformation to include the modernization of agency functions and personnel; the development of a 10-year economic strategic plan; and promoting cross-agency and cross-sector collaboration to strengthen Maryland’s business climate and ecosystem,” the statement said.